LJ Today July/August 2011

July/August 2011 VOL. XXXVIII No. 4

Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism

www.liberaljudaism.org

ljtoday

Celebration time

Members of LJY-Netzer enjoy one of the 60 sessions on offer at the Day of Celebration

L

IBERAL JUDAISM’S Day of Celebration has been hailed as a huge success, after more than 500 people from 27 communities came together to commemorate our achievements and plan for the future.

Taking place in the Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), the event featured 60 sessions led by Liberal Judaism’s lay members, rabbis and staff, as well as some very special guests. Offering something for all, the seminars covered everything from Torah study to salsa dancing to packed discussions on Jewish identity and marriage. The centrepiece of the day was the graduation of a group of new lay leaders, who successfully completed Liberal Judaism’s Ba’alei Tefillah programme – the first such training course for 23 years.

The Day of Celebration also saw a full programme of activities for children and teenagers put on by Liberal Judaism’s youth movement LJY-Netzer. These included a panel discussion on the future of Liberal Judaism, a heated debate on whether honouring your parents counts as a good deed and a fun intergenerational quiz in which contestants

had to gargle God Save the Queen.

Those in attendance included BBC political correspondent Jo Coburn, The Times executive editor Daniel Finkelstein OBE, Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and incoming Leo Baeck College principal Rabbi Deborah Kahn-Harris. Jo acted as a roving reporter for the day, ending the event by delivering her findings on ‘the health and wealth of Liberal Judaism’.

Jo, whose speech is printed in full on page 3, concluded: “Today has demonstrated that Liberal Judaism is in good shape. That is due to its strong leadership and the contribution made by many of its members, like the ones who organised today, and the recognition that it has to reach out to groups in every part of the UK.” Amanda Grant, who headed up the organising committee, said: “We were delighted with the way Liberal Judaism’s communities embraced the Day of Celebration and it made the many months of planning and hard work truly worthwhile. Our Progressive family certainly knows how to study and celebrate in style.”

New appointments for Liberal Judaism A NEW Rabbinic Team has been created at the Montagu Centre, Liberal Judaism’s London head office. Led by LJ chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich, it includes FOUR new members of staff – Sandra Kviat, Anna Gerrard, Ariel Friedlander and Gershon Silins. The appointments ensure a rabbinic presence from Monday to Thursday in order to respond to a variety of enquiries – such as matters of circumcision, marriage, conversion and death – as well as giving every LJ constituent, which wishes it, a rabbinic/ clergy contact.

Sandra Kviat works full time for Liberal Judaism, mainly advising on the educational content of community and LJ projects. Born in Denmark, Sandra is the first female Scandinavian rabbi. She was ordained by Leo Baeck College in 2011.

Anna Gerrard also works full time for LJ, mainly on community development and young adult projects. A 2011 Leo Baeck graduate, Anna did the majority of her training in Israel and returns there for a period each year in order to avoid the worst of the English winter.

Ariel Friedlander is Liberal Judaism’s new university chaplain, where she acts as a focal point and support for Liberal, Reform and egalitarian minded students.

Her average week includes one day at the Montagu Centre, two days touring campuses and two days employed by the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust.

Gershon Silins is employed part-time

by Liberal Judaism and spends one day a week at the Montagu Centre, where he is developing musical programmes. As well as serving as a cantor in synagogues across North America, Gershon has also sung in the worlds of concert and opera.

Find out all about the team, including the communities they’ll be working with, on our website www.liberaljudaism.org

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Day of Celebration

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Day of Celebration

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Attracting young people to LJ ‘Together we

The health and wealth of Liberal Judaism

Robin Moss opened the event with this call to arms

Jo Coburn closed the Day of Celebration with this snapshot of where we stand

THE QUESTION of how to bring more young people into Liberal Judaism is fascinating and, in many ways, my job as a movement worker for LJY-Netzer is to find the answer. The challenge comes from two directions – an attack from the left and an attack from the right.

From the left, quite reasonably, young people are secular today. There is a huge draw towards not coming to the synagogue on a Saturday but going to the football, not coming to the Day of Celebration but watching the last day of the Premier League season. There’s a huge challenge in that respect – to make Judaism exciting and fun and something that people want to do, rather than something that they feel obliged to do.

There’s nothing wrong with obligation, but ultimately that ends when people leave home. We see lots and lots of children in our synagogues and lots of barmitzvah students, but how many people in their 20s and 30s do we see?

On the other hand there is an attack from the right, with lots of people in the Jewish community who would seek to define Judaism not to include our form of Judaism. We still somewhat live in the shadow of the fact that we have to define ourselves against something, instead of defining ourselves for something.

For me, and this is controversial, we ARE Judaism and we should be proud of being Judaism. We’re not the rabble offshoot from Judaism, we are where Judaism was always meant to go and is going today.

Those are the two challenges - getting people in and then keeping them here and not making them feel that they’re not authentically Jewish. There are three key things I think we could definitely do.

The first is hold services that make people chose to come to synagogue, rather than feeling obliged to attend.

Yesterday, I went to a Reform synagogue and they had the most amazing service called Big Bang – where they have music and the whole congregation are given shakers. They did it in the main sanctuary and had around 300 people there, including 150 children. Our own Shabbat Resouled is amazing as well, and I think we need more things like these.

The second is that there needs to be much more work done at a local level.

I sit in an office in London and try as hard as I can to help develop things, but it has to come locally as well. If there are exciting things going on locally, and people want to go to their synagogue, then they’ll want to come nationally and be part of Liberal Judaism.

And the final thing, maybe in a clichéd way, is that LJY-Netzer – the youth movement of Liberal Judaism that is owned by ALL of us – is hugely important. If you look at the alumni roster of Kadimah, our summer camp, it is extraordinary. We should continue to support it, invest in it and encourage young people to go on it.

To end with a quick plug, Kadimah this summer is July 28 – August 11 and there are still places available.

are unbeatable’ Chairman’s Actions

By Lucian J Hudson THE DAY OF CELEBRATION was a phenomenal occasion with a recordbreaking attendance, electric atmosphere and lively and thought-provoking sessions. It was a fine example of teamwork and an event that definitely lived up to its billing of having something for everyone. It will go down as one of our most memorable days as a movement – and not just because of the rich supply of smoked salmon bagels!

It is not every day that I can the play the role of a subtle version of Jeremy Paxman, as I did by quizzing Daniel Finkelstein. Daniel’s session was informed, inclusive and influential – exactly what I think we should be about.

Jo Coburn chairs the opening panel on youth Lucian and Amanda with Daniel Finkelstein

Great credit goes to Amanda Grant and her colleagues on the organising committee, to LJS for the warmth of their hospitality, and to the staff and students of LJS, the Montagu Centre, Leo Baeck College and LJY-Netzer who played such a vital role in the day.

Liberal Jews, when they pull together, are unbeatable. Now it’s over to the planning team for our Biennial Weekend.

Biennial is next Times man Daniel wows the crowd IF YOU WERE one of the 500 people who enjoyed the Day of Celebration, or are feeling sad at missing out on all the fun, then we’ve good news – there are just nine months to go until the 2012 Biennial Weekend.

Held from Friday April 20 to Sunday April 22, in the beautiful Tortworth Court Hotel, the Biennial offers the chance for Liberal Jews of all ages to come together to talk, study and socialise – and get involved in shaping our future.

Check out the next issue of lj today for an in-depth Biennial preview.

DANIEL FINKELSTEIN OBE may have only spoken at the Day of Celebration for an hour, but the subjects he covered in that time will keep us in debate until 2013.

In conversation with Liberal Judaism chairman Lucian J Hudson, Daniel gave his, often controversial, views on politics, religion and Israel. The Times’ executive editor and Jewish Chronicle columnist also spoke movingly about the suffering his family went through in the Holocaust and his own personal journey from Reform to Liberal Judaism.

He then spent time answering questions from a large audience, who relished the chance to quiz one of the UK’s most senior media figures.

THE FUTURE of the Liberal Jewish movement is largely dependent on engaging our children at a young age through stimulating activities, making friends, having fun and instilling a sense of Jewish identity and community – with help from the all-important older peer group.

Retaining that older peer group, the 18-25 year-olds, is a big challenge when there are so many activities competing for their attention. But the LJY-Netzer members on stage earlier are a prime example of what can be achieved.

Speaking about his passion for LJ, Daniel told those gathered: “When I was a child, there was a feeling that Orthodox Judaism was the correct Judaism – and therefore that we were less Jewish than them. I reject that entirely and believe that it will become a less and less tenable position.

“There is a storm is developing all religions. There is a loss of faith and authority. If you are going to weather that storm then you need to start from some sort of intellectually defendable position.

“I can’t make much intellectual sense of Orthodoxy; I find the idea that there’s been an unchanging Judaism completely implausible. Liberal Judaism evolves.”

Whether you’re running our youth movement, teaching at Hebrew classes, attending services or going on summer camps and Israel trips – this is the point at which you can start giving back to your community. Just like the Ba’alei Tefillah group, who were recognised today for augmenting rabbis in their congregations and continuing a tradition that has been going for 100 years.

None of this, of course, would ever happen without good publicity, advertising and PR – because if people don’t know what you’re doing, then they’re simply not going to come. I was impressed that there was a session on this subject led by the editor of lj today. He talked about selling a story, something close to my heart, and how synagogues can attract press interest.

The graduating Ba’alei Tefillah class of 2011

That is down, in part, to the role of the rabbis. Leadership at our Liberal Jewish synagogues is absolutely key – and what a talented bunch of rabbis they are.

Rabbis Aaron and Dr Andrew Goldstein

This was demonstrated in a range of sessions that I looked in on including those on how to make Talmudic texts relevant to today, lessons learned from the Bible, the importance of continuity and how Liberal Judaism has managed to adapt to modern day life with all its challenges.

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein’s discussion, titled ‘marrying out or marrying in’, got right to the heart of the inclusive nature of Liberal Judaism. As part of a mixed faith relationship myself, it’s all about acceptance and being realistic about people’s personal lives and situations.

To coin a phrase from that famous wordsmith John Prescott: “Traditional values in a modern setting.”

Leon Charikar leads a fun session on salsa

That brings me neatly on to teaching kids to care and the fact that Liberal Judaism is as much about cultural and social issues, as it is about religious ones. It sets out a broad moral and social code by which to live and bring up your children, which has certainly stayed with me. So talks today on a range of subjects – including health care, how to make your children happy, equality and the environment – showed that Liberal Judaism has a response to these and many other questions.

It is the diversity of Liberal Judaism that keeps it strong, and nowhere more clearly than on the cultural side. Salsa attracted more than 30 people and that old favourite Israeli dancing was not just fantastic fun, but also a great way of introducing people to an Israeli heritage.

There were two contrasting sessions that I attended on Liberal Judaism’s relationship to Israel. ‘There’s more than one way to be a Zionist’ posed the question of how comfortable are people with the politics of Israel? While in the conversation with Daniel Finkelstein this afternoon, he made the point that the experience of his family – who went through the Holocaust – is the starting point for his support of the State of Israel, while still applying the issues of human rights and justice.

For many people Israel is an integral part of their Liberal Judaism.

Two youngsters enjoy the Day of Celebration

In summing up, today has demonstrated that the health of Liberal Judaism is in good shape. That is due to its strong leadership and the contribution made by many of its members, like the ones who organised today, and the recognition that it has to reach out to groups in every part of the UK. And on the wealth side, it is greatly helped by financial contributions from the Patrons of Liberal Judaism.

There were 500 people here today and maybe, as Rabbi Danny Rich said at the very start of the event, there will be 1,000 people next time – once again spanning all the generations!

Jo with LJ chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich

Jo Coburn is political correspondent for the BBC. She was assisted with this presentation by Mike Beral Pictures by John Bernard

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News

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Disabled people at the forefront of what we do Leon Charikar reviews an inspiring event on inclusion THE KULANU SEMINAR – Liberal Judaism’s first event examining issues of disability and inclusion within our movement - was a great success, but don’t just take my word for it. Those who participated were highly positive about the day, describing it as “powerful and evocative” and “proving that together we can make a real difference”.

Twenty-six people, from a range of congregations and disability organisations, met at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue to launch Kulanu, which means ‘all of us’. The aim is to enable Liberal Judaism to set the benchmark for best practice in including disabled people in all aspects of communal life. Specifically we want to: • Enable disabled people, and those with responsibility for ensuring inclusion within Liberal Judaism, to meet and share experiences.

• Produce standards, guidelines and policy for Liberal Judaism, and its constituent congregations, on making all activities fully inclusive.

• Advise Liberal Judaism and constituent congregations on disability and inclusion matters.

• Support and implement the social model of disability, which asserts that it is environmental, attitudinal and social barriers which cause impairments to become disabilities.

For many, the highlight of the seminar was hearing from delegates who shared their personal journeys. One man spoke of being very active in his synagogue: leading services and reading from the Torah. But then his sight failed and he was no longer able to participate as fully as he wished. He talked about, and demonstrated, a range of equipment which can assist visually impaired people.

Another participant spoke about living with dyspraxia, a condition which causes difficulty in co-ordination. People with dyspraxia can appear clumsy and slow to pick up new skills, such as riding a bike or learning a language.

The lady recalled her experiences at cheder, where she was not accepted by the other children and struggled to learn to read Hebrew. She left cheder lacking self-esteem and confidence and didn’t set foot in a synagogue again for three decades.

Finally a woman with multiple sclerosis spoke with passion about asking what a person CAN do, not what they can’t do. If there is goodwill and determination then all barriers can be overcome.

We also heard from representatives of organisations such as the Judith Trust, for people with learning disabilities, and Jewish Action on Mental illness (JAMI).

A young man from the Disablement Association of Hillingdon (DASH) spoke about the value of providing activities and support for disabled children and teens.

We finished the day by drawing up possible action plans for Liberal Judaism, our congregations and ourselves. Ideas included setting up a Kulanu Forum on the LJ website, ensuring the commitment to the full inclusion of disabled people appears in all LJ literature and asking each synagogue to have a named person for inclusion issues. We also agreed to tell others in our community about the seminar and the Kulanu Forum, prepare best practice guidelines and, most importantly, to meet again in the future – making it bigger and better!

Our congregations have a responsibility to be welcoming to all and demonstrate that everyone can be included. It is not sufficient just to wait for the disabled person to ask. As Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5 says: “A human being mints many coins from the same mould, and they are all identical. But the Holy One strikes us all from the mould of the first human and each one of us is unique.”

For more information about the Kulanu Forum, please contact me on leoncharikar@yahoo.co.uk

Leon Charikar is Liberal Judaism’s inclusion and social action officer

News

July/August 2011

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Remembering the past to shape the future

‘A Judaism of integrity and sincerity’

By Jeromé Freedman

FOLLOWING May’s meeting, Rabbi Pete Tobias transferred the chair of the Rabbinic Conference to us – literally and with a model that he had brought for Rabbis Rachel Benjamin and Margaret Jacobi when they handed over to him three years ago. Although it does beg the question as to how the two us of will fit into one chair, the hope is that we will be able to channel our specific areas of interest and ability for the good of the Rabbinic Conference and for all the members of Liberal Judaism.

There is much to work to do, but Rabbi Pete has provided a strong base on which to build. He has generated excitement among our body, increased attendance at our monthly meetings and overseen the involvement of our rabbinate in the tremendously successful Day of Celebration.

Summarising his chairmanship, Rabbi Pete humbly reflected on the past three years by saying: “If I have not fully succeeded in my efforts to create an environment that produces regular guidance and education to the membership of Liberal Judaism, then I am confident that the foundations are now in place to provide it.”

Now to move forward again… Rabbi Pete has identified two major projects to focus his efforts on, with colleagues and lay members, over the coming years. The first is next April’s Biennial Weekend and its goal to engage delegates in earnest contemplation and study of Judaism’s historical and theological roots, with

MORE THAN 750 people gathered at the Dell Holocaust Memorial Garden in Hyde Park on Yom HaShoah for the national commemoration of Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day. The event, which took place on Sunday May 1, was organised by The Forum for Yom HaShoah and led by Henry Grunwald, a former president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Participants included Holocaust survivors, as well as representatives from the Israeli Embassy and the Association of Jewish Refugees. Six memorial candles were lit by survivors and their descendants, aided by community leaders including Liberal Judaism chairman Lucian J Hudson.

Vivian Wineman, the current president of the Board of Deputies, spoke in his address of the importance of the commemoration of Yom HaShoah and particularly its complementary relevance to the January 27 event of National Holocaust Memorial Day. Speaking after the commemoration, the chairman of The Forum for Yom HaShoah, Neil Martin, said: “This body was created recently in order to bring together the collective expertise of UK Jewish and non-Jewish organisations engaged in Holocaust education, awareness and remembrance, or those which support the welfare of Holocaust survivors, refugees and former armed services personnel.

“While on Holocaust Memorial Day the Jewish community participates in efforts to deliver awareness of the Holocaust to the wider community, Yom HaShoah is a day for internal reflection, commemoration and education to remember the six millions Jews so tragically murdered.”

Perhaps the best summary of what Yom HaShoah is all about is carried on the Forum’s website, through the reminder that: “It is our responsibility to ensure that the message of ‘Remembering the Past, Honouring the Memory and Shaping the Future’ is carried forward from present to future generations. Only by this means can we ensure that a unique tragedy of this magnitude that befell our people, just because they were Jews, is never allowed to happen again.”

More information about the Forum and the history of this event can be found at www.yomhashoah.org.uk/about

Rabbis Aaron Goldstein and Shulamit Ambalu are the new chairs of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Conference. Below they outline their ethos for the future

Rabbi Pete Tobias hands over the chair to Rabbis Aaron Goldstein and Shulamit Ambalu

a view to re-evaluating our Liberal approach to our Judaism. The second is by capturing the continual evaluation of our beliefs in the next generation of our liturgy, which he will begin together with Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and the editorial committee at the Biennial Conference. As Rabbi Pete stated: “This is a lengthy 8-10 year process. It is one which I hope will engage the entire Liberal movement, rabbinic and lay, as we define what Liberal Judaism is and will be.”

We are fortunate to have such direction provided for us. Writing this not a month into our stewardship of the Rabbinic Conference, it is too early to define specific projects for us to work with.

What is clear is our ethos. It is a

Deputy chair steps down LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Board of National Officers has accepted the resignation, for personal reasons, of its deputy chair Amanda Grant. In stepping down, Amanda said: “It has been a tremendous honour to serve on the Board and contribute to the growth of Liberal Judaism.”

Lucian J Hudson, the chairman of Liberal Judaism, said: “I have worked closely with Amanda for the past two years, and valued her advice and support. It is with sadness that we have accepted her decision. Amanda has made a very significant contribution to

our movement, and we wish her well for the future.”

Before becoming deputy chair, Amanda held the youth portfolio to which she brought much energy and commitment. She has also served as the vice chair of Leo Baeck College, and has represented Liberal Judaism widely, including at the International Assembly of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. At its last meeting, the Board expressed its thanks and appreciation to Amanda for all her efforts, particularly at the recent Day of Celebration.

traditional value of Liberal Judaism, but one that we seek to promote - informed choice.

We aim to support our decision-making processes, both as a collective and as individuals, with substantial learning.

The vitality of our traditions is found in understanding the thinking behind them. It is our belief that in the process of defining the essence of our faith, we find the Divine. With that inspiration, we are sure that we will continue to create a Judaism of integrity and sincerity that is relevant to our age and an important link in our chain of tradition.

It is an honour for us to have been given this responsibility and we pray for strength of heart, soul and might to fulfil the high hopes that rest upon us.

Become a Daytimer IF YOU WANT to learn more about Jewish history, and have some fun at the same time, then head to the Montagu Centre on Thursday September 8 for the latest LJ Daytimers’ event. Taking place from 10.30am-2.30pm, and led by Rabbi Pete Tobias, the seminar is titled ‘Project Babylon – how the Torah came to be written’. It promises to be an entertaining event with a serious purpose – to make us more familiar with the Torah and how it might have been created.

No previous knowledge is required and coffee and a light lunch will be provided.

For more information, and to book, please contact Alex Wakely on 020 7631 9830 or a.wakely@liberaljudaism.org

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Around the communities - Pesach celebrations 5771

Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue put on a multi-faith Pesach, inviting members of all branches of Judaism, Christians of many different denominations, agnostics and atheists

The children at Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue enjoyed a fantastic communal cheder Seder, which included them having to bargain for pieces of chocolate in exchange for the afikomen

Kingston Liberal Synagogue celebrated Passover by selling out the shul hall for a communal Seder that was attended by members of all ages and featured plenty of fantastic food and drink

LJ chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich led Wessex Liberal Jewish Community’s first ever Seder with 50 members, including many families with young children, joining in with enthusiasm

Liberal Jewish Synagogue Rabbis Alexandra Wright and David Wilfond welcomed more than 100 members and guests, many from other faiths, to their Seder, following a Big Lottery Fund grant

North Herts Liberal Jewish Community’s Seder was led by Student Rabbi Lisa Barrett, who succeeded in getting all 30-plus members of the congregation in attendance to join in and sing along

Attendance at Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation’s second night Seder reached a record high with a full house of almost 100 people and a dramatic interpretation of the 10 Plagues

The children in class Leo Baeck at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue prepared for this year’s Pesach by baking some very special Passover goodies and enacting the Seder

Liberal Judaism staff at the Montagu Centre enjoyed a lunch time Seder led by Rabbi Danny Rich, who explained the history behind many of the practices, prayers and customs of Passover

Rabbi Janet Darley led a “wave” version of song, with children’s posters describing each of the 10 Plagues of Egypt, at South London Liberal Synagogue’s interactive communal Seder

Kent Liberal Jewish Community’s cheder put on a costumed performance of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt with young Caitlin, pictured above with her grandfather, playing the part of baby Moses

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Communities

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Healing on horseback in Israel

A Golden Jubilee for BWPJC

Hilary Fox visits the riding centre making a difference to people with disabilities

By Judith Goldsmith

ANY TRIP to Israel always creates amazing memories, but my most recent visit was made even more special by seeing the remarkable work done by the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association (INTRA).

I have been a volunteer with UK charity Riding for the Disabled for the last 23 years, so the chance to be shown around the centre, which is located in Hadassah Neurim Village, held a special appeal.

Our small synagogue, Bedfordshire Progressive, chose the charity for last year’s Kol Nidre appeal, and they told us that members would be welcome to take a tour any time they were in Israel.

Along with my husband Gerald and five members of our Israeli family, I decided to take INTRA up on their kind offer.

We contacted the therapeutic instructor and programme director Anita Shkedi, who gave up more than an hour of her precious time to show us around. Anita is an amazing woman – highly qualified and experienced, yet also warm and dedicated.

Anita’s CV is too long to relate, but suffice it to say she has lived an extremely varied life since her staff nurse days at Great Ormond St Hospital. In 1985, she founded therapeutic riding in Israel with INTRA, which her co-director husband Giora now manages. Currently Anita is involved in researching Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and is a student pursuing a Doctorate in Education.

Hilary and Gerald Fox meet one of the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association’s horses

During the visit we saw an amputee veteran soldier – who was injured while working on bomb disposal – riding very confidently. Many, like him, have PTSD. Another rider was a teenage lad with severe autism, and yet he was doing very advanced dressage, which requires a lot of concentration. Anita’s youngest rider, she told us, is “a very ‘floppy’ two and a half year old with cerebral palsy”, who at first had been supported riding in her lap on the front of the saddle. This child could now sit up riding unaided, an incredible advance physically.

The INTRA centre is by the sea, north of Tel Aviv, on just a scrap of land. Most lessons are in an open air arena, which is floodlit after dark. Some of the riders could easily enter the 2012 Paralympics, if only sponsors could be found to send them and the horses. INTRA needs financial support urgently, to continue their valuable work and help more adults and children benefit from connecting with these inspirational animals. A ‘wish list’ for giving when celebrating a barmitzvah, batmitzvah, wedding, anniversary or special birthday is also available.

Find out more about INTRA on their website www.intra.org.il or search www.youtube.com for the moving videos they have made. And if there’s one thing everyone must do, it is arrange an appointment to visit this incredible centre any time you are in Israel.

Building for the SLLS celebrates Election triumph for LJ couple future at WLS its civic role THE CONGREGATION at Woodford Liberal Synagogue have held their first ever Vision & Focus Day, with an enthusiastic and engaged group of 35 members getting together to plan for the next decade.

Chairman Bob Kamall said: “The theme that emerged was very much one of ‘hope’. Our hopes for the future, our hopes for the development of the community and our hope that WLS is a thriving beacon of Liberal Judaism in 2020. The discussions were at times quite passionate, as everyone was encouraged to give their opinion whatever their age or level of involvement. More needs to be done, but the day was a strong first step towards building our shared vision.”

SOUTH LONDON LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE held a Civic Service on May 15 that saw involvement from Streatham MP Chuka Umunna, Mayor of Lambeth Christiana Valcarcel and London Assembly Member Valerie Shawcross CBE. Rabbi Janet Darley said: “In this special service we celebrated our role in civic society and our responsibility to help build a society of which we can all be proud.

“Congregants of all ages participated in the service, and we were also joined by friends from other faith groups in the area for this wonderful occasion.”

A LIBERAL JEWISH husband and wife team have both been elected as Liberal Democrat councillors to Oadby & Wigston Borough Council in Leicestershire.

Jeffrey and Lily Kaufman, who are members of Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation, have previously served as the area’s Mayor and Mayoress.

Lily was voted in for the first time at the local elections held on May 5, joining her husband who had been re-elected to the Council.

Jeffrey, who is president of LPJC, said: “I feel that this is a real achievement, with the two of us being elected to the Liberal Democrat controlled authority, when it was such a bad election for the party nationally.”

FIFTY YEARS! It has been 50 years since Len Hart picked up the telephone and rang anyone with a Jewish sounding surname. He asked them: “Would you like a Progressive synagogue here in Bristol?”

Around 10 people said “yes” and turned up to that first meeting – forming the inaugural Council for the new community.

Now, in 2011, we have more than 150 families as members of Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation (BWPJC) and a thriving cheder. In the Golden Jubilee issue of our newsletter we had to use a whole page to list the various activities which happen on our premises: from Hebrew lessons to singing practice, from challah baking to shiurim, from Israeli dancing to debates.

To celebrate BWPJC’s 50th birthday, we held a wonderful and moving service attended by dignitaries – including the Lord Mayor of Bristol and the treasurer of the Board of Deputies – representatives of other faiths and returning founder members.

The synagogue, which has extended down the years from being one to three houses wide, was packed. Our voices

Baby Hugo Rothman and mum Beth Davidson meet BWPJC founders Peter and Mavis Hyams

echoed, sending the light of Liberal Judaism out into the streets of Bristol.

Then the following day, we had the party. One thing about our community is that we know how to celebrate, from the first baby blessing in 1966 – Sarah Hyams, who joined us for the weekend – to the most recent wedding, held only a couple of months ago.

We took over Red Maids School sixth form centre and had crafts and face painting, dancing and singing and, you guessed it, food.

The weather tried to thwart us, but we knew we were going to enjoy ourselves and we did.

Our greatest joy is the range of ages within our congregation. The oldest member of our community, Dr Freddy Morgan, is 99-years-old and joined us on the Saturday. Baby Hugo Rothman came on Sunday and, aged just seven weeks, is our youngest congregant. Both of them, and the whole spread of generations in between, enjoyed themselves immensely.

To the next 50 years, L’Chaim!

Congratulations • Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue (HWPS) on moving into a new home. The community deconsecrated their old building at 326 Preston Road and headed to 39 Bessborough Road, where they will be sharing premises with Reform Judaism’s Middlesex New Synagogue. Seven rabbis, pictured above left, attended a service to celebrate the move – including Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith of HWPS. • Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) for winning Liberal Judaism’s Annual InterSynagogue Quiz. The victorious Kingston side, pictured below left, beat stiff competition from six other teams to lift the coveted trophy, which was won last year by The Liberal Synagogue Elstree.

• Alexandra Ben-Yehuda, Liberal Judaism’s PR and communications executive, who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on May 13. Maya is Alexandra’s second child and was welcomed into the world by the whole Ben-Yehuda family, including proud big brother Matan.

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Youth

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Spotlight on North Herts Lisa has encouraged two of our congregants, Linda Paice and Terry Wolfe, to read from the Torah, even if only a few sentences. Lisa has also run classes in beginners’ Hebrew, which have proved extremely successful. We are fortunate that one of our own members, Gillian Wolfe, has offered to continue this work after Lisa leaves us, so that everyone can have the opportunity of reading and following the services.

Members of North Herts Liberal Jewish Community have fun celebrating Sukkot How and when was North Herts Liberal Jewish Community created?

A synagogue for Jewish people living in Stevenage was first mooted by Gillian and Terry Wolfe in the autumn of 2008.

In June 2009, Liberal Judaism set up a weekend of services and discussions, led

by LJ chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and Rabbi Pete Tobias of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLSE). The weekend was a great success with 26 people attending the various services.

What happened next?

Guided by Rabbi Pete, it was decided to hold two services each month, on the second Shabbat and the fourth Erev Shabbat. This formula has continued to the present day, with some variations. We have been given immense help by LJ in organising and arranging our services, as well as providing a student rabbi to lead us. TLSE and Rabbi Pete have also supported us in so many ways – with Pete even schlepping a Torah by tube from the Montagu Centre in central London to Borehamwood and then on to Stevenage!

premises, and there are no storage facilities where we meet, our Ark has to be dismantled and removed after every service. Consequently it is made of cardboard, but beautifully covered and decorated. A banner is in production, designed by Linda Paice and being decorated by Heather Lipitch, Denise and Tracey Arendse.

How did you find your first year?

Our services in 2009/10 were very memorable. They were led by Student Rabbi Marc Neger and it was our pleasure that he often came with his wife and daughter, helping us by bringing a challah, which was difficult to purchase at that time. We were able to have two High Holy Day services last year, one on Erev Rosh Hashanah and one on Kol Nidre. Both were very well supported by our community and conducted by the wonderful Student Rabbi Sandra Kviat.

Where do services take place?

Services started in September 2009 at the Gate Hotel in Stevenage, moving in 2010 to the Friends Meeting House.

What changes have you made this year?

Student Rabbi Lisa Barrett is leading our services in 2010/11 and has guided us, sometimes kicking and screaming, to the stage where our services are both traditional and Liberal. She has introduced us to some beautiful tunes and helped us to learn them.

Can you describe your place of worship?

We have a beautiful Ark for our Sefer Torah, designed and made by Gillian Wolfe with assistance from Heather Lipitch. As we do not have our own

Do members get involved in the services?

Yes – everyone participates in some way, whether by reading part of the service or making tea for kiddush.

What clubs and activities do you put on?

We have a very active social committee, run by Evelyn and Alan Curtis. The committee has organised many successful events, including quizzes and regular Sunday lunches. Although these are intended to raise much needed funds, they have all been outstandingly successful as enjoyable occasions too.

How would you summarise North Herts in one sentence?

We call ourselves ‘Bet Chaverim’ (the House of Friends), because that is what we strive to be.

How do I find out more?

We have a first class newsletter, edited

by Adele Gerrard, which keeps our community fully informed of all services and activities – as does our web site at www.northhertsljc.org

LJ Today Page 11

LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun

Get ready… Kadimah is coming

By Robin Moss

BY THE TIME you read this, there will only be a few weeks to go until Machaneh Kadimah, LJY-Netzer’s flagship summer camp. The annual two-week extravaganza, which has been running for more than 40 years, is once again returning to Cottesmore School, in West Sussex, from July 28 – August 11.

It’s looking to be another bumper year and, after the 144 participants we had in 2010, we guarantee that Kadimah 2011 will be the best ever!

So what makes Kadimah so special?

There are lots of things. The joyous freedom of a summer holiday spent in the grounds of a beautiful boarding school, the wide range of engaging activities, the friendships that blossom between children that might otherwise never meet and the care, attention and all-round entertainment that our super madrichim (leaders) provide. Oh, and all those wide games, water fights, art attacks, trips, midnight feasts, discos, last night shows

These photos from Machaneh Aviv (spring camp) are just a taste of what’s in store at Kadimah

and so on that provide memories that last a lifetime.

This year, we’ve also dragged ourselves into the 21st Century and gone online.

From now on, LJY-Netzer Kadimah applications can be made via our website,

www.ljy-netzer.org, which itself has also had a makeover and looks fantastic. Just head there and click the button that says ‘apply’. Suddenly tempted? Get in touch with us asap and we might even be able to find your child/ren a space.

Meet the new LJY-Netzer team the best year LJY-Netzer has ever seen. since she was 8-years-old. She loves EVERY YEAR, LJY-Netzer brings in You’ll have to come along to check if he drama and is looking forward to being a a fantastic new bunch of movement lives up to his promise. part of the movement work tsevet (staff). workers – the full-time employees who Sam Cohen has attended LJY-Netzer coordinate events and plan out our Adam Francies, we all know well by events for 13 years. His hobbies include calendar of amazing activities. The now, but just in case you’re not sure who cooking, so watch out for some amazing 2011/12 team started work on July 1 he is - let’s tell you a bit more. Adam meals on events this year. and will take over the reins fully on has been on LJY-Netzer since 1997 and Anna Posner hails from Nottingham September 1. So without further ado, attended our Shnat Netzer gap year and has been a member of LJY-Netzer let’s introduce them… scheme, as did the other three.

Adam Francies should be a If you want to know more about the familiar face, and he is staying on tsevet call us or check our website from the 2010/11 team. Adam will www.ljy-netzer.org for random facts be joined by Sam Grant, Sam Cohen including their favourite TV shows and Anna Posner. and pets. And now you know a bit Sam Grant went on his first about them there is no excuse for LJY-Netzer event in 1996 and is not calling for a chat or coming on convinced 2011/12 is going to be Adam Francies, Sam Grant, Sam Cohen and Anna Posner events. We promise they don’t bite!

The beautifully decorated cardboard Ark

Contact LJY-Netzer: Josh (j.dubell@liberaljudaism.org), Adam (a.francies@liberaljudaism.org), Yszi (y.hawkings@ liberaljudaism.org) or Robin (r.moss@liberaljudaism.org); telephone 020 7631 0584 or email office@ljynetzer.org

Page 12 LJ Today

July/August 2011

Rabbi Pete’s quick quiz

Liberal Judaism congregations

The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE Tel: 020 7580 1663 Fax: 020 7631 9838

www.liberaljudaism.org

Chairman Lucian J Hudson Vice Chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards Treasurer David Pelham Social Action and Disability Leon Charikar Israel and the Diaspora Daniel Needlestone Vice Presidents and Honorary Vice Presidents David Amstell, Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Stanley Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Jeremy Jessel, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor, Clive Winston Chairs of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR Sophie Stern Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Shlicha Dana Friedman LJY-Netzer Josh Dubell, Adam Francies, Robin Moss Student Worker Ysabella Hawkings

The Liberal Synagogue Elstree Elstree High Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY; 020 8953 8889; tlse@liberaljudaism.org; www.tlse.org.uk Lincolnshire Jewish Community 01427 628958; ljc@liberaljudaism.org Manchester Liberal Jewish Community 08432 084441; mljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.mljc.org.uk North London Progressive Jewish Community 020 7403 3779; nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.nlpjc.org.uk Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Middx HA6 3AA; 01923 822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org; www.npls.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood NG5 4BP; 0115 9624761; npjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.npjc.org.uk Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 020 7631 9822 The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia (based in Norwich); www.pjcea.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community 0118 942 8022; rljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.rljc.org Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue 01277 888610; info@roshtikvah.com; www.roshtikvah.com South Bucks Jewish Community PO Box 826, Amersham, HP6 9GA; 0845 644 2370; sbjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.sbjc.org.uk South London Liberal Synagogue PO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW; 020 8769 4787; slls@liberaljudaism.org; www.southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue 75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY; 020 8886 0977; sps@liberaljudaism.org; www.sps.uk.com West Central Liberal Synagogue 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE; 020 7636 7627; wcls@liberaljudaism.org; www.wcls.org.uk Woodford Liberal Synagogue Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR; 020 8989 7619; wps@liberaljudaism.org; www.woodfordliberal.org.uk

Associated congregations

Beit Ha’Chidush Postbus 14613, 1001 LC Amsterdam, Netherlands, 00 31 23 524 7204; info@beithachidush.nl; www.beithachidush.nl Oxford Liberal Jewish Services: 01865 515584 or 01865 765197; www.ojc-online.org Wessex Liberal Jewish Group (Bournemouth) info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk; 01202 757084

Developing communities

North Herts Liberal Jewish Community (based in Stevenage) 07507 947406; nhljc@ liberaljudaism.org; www.northhertsljc.org The Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (based in Ipswich) 01473 250797; sjc@liberaljudaism.org

2. Three weeks before this date, on the Hebrew date of the 17th Tammuz, something else happened. What was it?

3. How is the three week period between 17th Tammuz and the saddest day known?

4. What is the special haftarah that is read on the Shabbat before the saddest day? And what is the Shabbat called because of this?

5. And the haftarah the week afterwards?

What is this Shabbat called?

6. There is another fast associated with this sad day. When is it and what happened on that day?

Pete Tobias is rabbi at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree

Sidney’s bridge magic South is in the contract of 6 Spades and the lead is the King of Hearts. At first sight this looks like a fairly simple contract – just ruff the first Heart in dummy, take a trump finesse (beating anything East chooses to play) – and the rest seems easy. But just play it out and you’ll see it’s not that simple.

So can you, with the advantage of seeing all the hands, make the contract?

Make a date ...........

2011 July 5 (Tuesday) - July 7 (Thursday) Summer Institute for Jewish Leadership 2011 at Leo Baeck College.

July 28 (Thursday) - August 11 (Thursday) Machaneh Kadimah, LJY-Netzer’s summer camp, at Cottesmore School.

September 8 (Thursday) Daytimers’ Event with Rabbi Pete Tobias at the Montagu Centre, 10:30am-2:30pm.

September 13 (Thursday) Liberal Judaism Council meeting and AGM at the Montagu Centre, 6.45pm.

September 25 (Sunday) Annual Memorial Services at Edgwarebury Lane Cemetery, Western Cemetery, the Liberal Jewish Cemetery and Golders Green Crematorium.

2012

lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein The deadline for the next edition is August 1. Please email your news and views to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org

April 20 (Friday) - April 22 (Sunday) Liberal Judaism’s 2012 Biennial Weekend at Tortworth Court Hotel in the Cotswolds.

Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the Judaism of the past while giving them contemporary force. Registered charity number 236590.

For more information on any of these events please email montagu@liberaljudaism.org

Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk

1. During the summer, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar occurs. What is the Hebrew date and what happened on this date in history? Clue: It happened twice.

Sidney Barrett is bridge teacher at Woodford Liberal Synagogue Quiz answers: 1. 9th Av (Tish’ah b’Av). Temple destroyed by Babylonians (586 BCE) and Romans (70 CE) 2. Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem 3. The Three Weeks 4. Isaiah’s vision in Chapter 1 of the book of Isaiah. Shabbat Chazon (vision) 5. Isaiah chapter 40. Shabbat Nachamu 6. 10th Tevet. The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem began in 588 BCE Bridge answer: Ruff the opening King of Hearts with Dummy’s 3 of Spades – and discard the 2 of Spades from hand! Lead a low Spade from Dummy and beat any card that East plays. Play the Ace and King of Diamonds, the Ace of Clubs and a low Club, which West must win - and then must lead another Heart. Ruff in Dummy - and discard the 5 of Spades from hand. Now play the 10 of Diamonds - and keep playing Diamonds until East decides to, or has to, ruff – when you over-ruff and draw the remaining trumps.

Making 12 tricks.

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom) 01234 218387; bedsps@liberaljudaism. org; www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael c/o The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE; 07505 477459, bky@liberaljudaism.org; www.bky.org.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX; 020 8554 9682; bttkv@liberaljudaism.org; www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue 1 Roseland Way, Birmingham B15 1HD; 0121 634 3888; bps@liberaljudaism.org; www.bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF; 01273 737223; bhps@liberaljudaism.org; www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation 43-45 Bannerman Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 0RR bwpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.bwpjc.org Crouch End Liberal Jewish Chavurah info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk; www.crouchendchavurah.co.uk Crawley Jewish Community 01293 534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 00 3531 2856241; djpc@liberaljudaism.org Ealing Liberal Synagogue Lynton Avenue, Drayton Green, W13 0EB; 020 8997 0528; els@liberaljudaism. org; www.ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation 01323 725650; fax: 01323 417645 epjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.epjcong.org.uk Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community 0131 777 8024; info@eljc.org; www.eljc.org Finchley Progressive Synagogue Hutton Grove, N12 8DR; 020 8446 4063; fps@liberaljudaism.org; www.fps.org Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 01242 609311 or 01242 231877; shalom@gljc.org.uk; www. gljc.org.uk Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue 39 Bessborough Road, Harrow HA1 3BS; 020 8864 5323; hwps@liberaljudaism.org; www.hwps.org Herefordshire Jewish Community 01594 530721; hjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.herefordshirejc.org Kent Liberal Jewish Community 07952 242432; kljc@liberaljudaism.org; http://tinyurl.com/kentljc Kingston Liberal Synagogue Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey; KT7 0UX; 020 8398 7400; kls@liberaljudaism.org; www.klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation The Synagogue, 24 Avenue Road, LE2 3EA; 07875 123744; lpjc@liberaljudaism.org The Liberal Jewish Synagogue 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA; 020 7286 5181; ljs@liberaljudaism.org; www.ljs.org